Trump, associates detail campaign

Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2000 | 9:43 a.m.

Trump associates detailed their use of the Institute for Law & Society, a self-described "pro-family, anti-legalized gaming issue advocacy organization" that blasted Gov. George Pataki and the St. Regis Mohawks for proposing to expand Indian gaming in New York.

Trump disclosed for the first time that his company spent $284,748 on ads and a telephone survey and almost $46,000 in expenses by its primary lobbying company, Ikon Holdings, the Albany Times Union reported in Wednesday's edition.

The survey involved calling New Yorkers and transferring any who said they were against casino gaming to the governor's office.

The documents say institute President Thomas Hunter was paid $5,000 a month from January through June by Ikon Public Affairs lobbyist Roger Stone, a friend of Donald Trump who was hired to work for Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts.

Stone's lawyer said Trump paid Ikon "to raise public awareness concerning the New York State constitution insofar as it prohibits the governor from entering into gaming pacts with Native Americans without securing legislative approval."

Stone met with former Assembly Majority Leader Michael Bragman, D-Cicero, and Senate Majority Leader Bruno, R-Brunswick, and created and directed the institute's ad campaign.

Other than speaking to Bruno and Bragman, Stone repeatedly said in his reports that nothing he did could be construed as lobbying. Stone's lawyer Judd Burstein said Stone, Trump and Bruno met in the early spring to discuss the Legislature's role in authorizing Indian gaming compacts.